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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 266
“Drop the question what tomorrow may bring, and count as profit every day that Fate allows you.” — HORACE
75 cents
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016
Neighbors say nearby business lights up neighborhood like a Christmas tree
PHOTO SUBMTTED
Rep. Velis, Mayor Sullivan, Supt. Czaporowski and volunteers join forces against Question 2 WESTFIELD — State Representative John Velis hosted a phone bank Tuesday evening to encourage Westfield to Vote No on Question 2. The ballot question would lift the cap on charter schools. Rep. Velis, Mayor Sullivan, City Councilor Dondley and other volunteers spent a few hours calling voters and discussing the potential effects of this ballot question. Currently, charter schools divert over $450 million a year from public schools, $163,092 from Westfield alone. “There is a significant misperception that those who are against question 2 are anti-charter schools and that is not the case. However, charter schools should not be funded to the detriment of our public schools. 96% of Massachusetts students attend public schools. The real solution to this problem is to pass legislation to fix the now outdated funding formula. We need to create a separate funding mechanism to ensure that charter schools and public schools are not competing for the same funds. If question 2 were to pass the unfortunate reality is that more money would be taken away from our public schools,” State Rep. John Velis. “For the past decade, funds for public education have continued to dwindle. The results have been deep cuts in personnel and programming. With ever increasing costs of technology and materials, our public schools are struggling. The diversion of state funds to charter schools will only exacerbate the problem. Westfield is currently losing over $150,000 of state aid due to current charter schools. We need to vote no on question 2 to give our public schools a chance to succeed,” Mayor Brian Sullivan. “While I am not against charter schools in general, the funding formula used by the state takes
away money from the students that attend Westfield Public Schools,” Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski. “As a veteran teacher in the Westfield Public Schools, I urge voters to consider a" no "vote on Question 2. Lifting the cap on charter schools will directly impact our most vulnerable students. I am not opposed to the concept of charter schools. However, I am disturbed by the funding formula, the impact this will have on every tax payer, and most importantly, on the most marginalized students. Charter Schools are privately run. They are not accountable to the local community. Charter schools take funding, intended for public schools and yet they can turn away students who don't fit their entrance criteria. Educating and including all students, is the foundation of public education. Funding privately managed Charter Schools, with public funding, will ultimately create a two-tiered educational system. Please join me in voting NO on question #2.Let's focus on strengthening our public schools,” Trish Wysocki. “I hope residents will take into consideration that Westfield school committee has come out unanimously against question 2. They have directly seen the significant loss of revenue to our public schools as a result of charter schools. Westfield school committee has joined 200 plus school committees that have come out against question 2,” City Councilor Steve Dondley “As a long time Westfield public school teacher, I am asking you to join me and many other dedicated teachers in voting No on Question 2. We are committed to the students in our public schools. This year more than $400 million will be drained from public schools and given to charter schools. Let’s keep the money in your child’s school,” Deb Chouinard.
By DAN DESROCHERS Corresopondent WESTFIELD–The Roots Athletic Center, which has been under scrutiny for outdoor lighting that was not part of a site plan originally given to the planning board, will be visited by the planning board on Nov. 7. The planning board decided on the visit after hearing testimony last night from several neighbors of the property, all of whom complained about either light or sound pollution, in addition to other complaints. The board had a public hearing about the property after it was found that the owner of the property, Roots Athletic Center, Inc., received two cease and desist letters regarding the lights that were put in that did not follow initial plans. The lights were installed to illuminate three outdoor soccer playing fields. Currently, there are 10 poles with two lights each on them. Altered plans, including those advertised online by the Roots Athletic Center, suggest that an additional lights will be put in. The lights currently sit between 30 and 35 feet high, and could reach a total of 40 lights. Michael McCarthy, who lives next door to the property with his wife, Stephanie McCarthy, said that the lights are the biggest concern for the couple. “We can’t really use the backyard,” he said. “If you try to sit outside the glare is incredible. The back bedroom is lit up, the living room is lit up, the master bedroom, the kitchen. “It’s brighter than a full moon.” Another nearby resident, Jennifer Connolly, who said she lives three houses away from the property, agreed with McCarthy on the issue of light pollution. “I think it’s infringing on our backyard at night,” she said. “It’s like daylight all the time.” Another neighbor, Joe Calderella, whose home is two houses away from the development, said that the lights don’t just affect his home–they affect the entire neighborhood. “There’s nothing to block the lights and the neighborhood is lit up like a Christmas tree,” Calderella said. But for neighbors, lighting wasn’t the only concern. Beth Keefe, who lives across the street from Connolly, said that safety is See Neighborhood Lights, Page 7
Image of the McCarthy home illuminated by the Roots lights on Oct. 21, unknown time.
Smoke detector program seen as big success to homeowners
Mildred Smith, second from the left, is 91 years old and one of several seniors in Southwick that received a new smoke detector in her home. (Photo from Cindy Sullivan)
By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – On Oct. 29, the American Red Cross hosted a smoke detector program for the very first time for Southwick residents. As interested individuals had to sign up prior to the event happening, they had to own their own home, it had to be built before 1975, and the smoke alarm or device had to be at least 10 years old or not existing at all. The American Red Cross teamed up with the Southwick Fire Department and the Council on Aging. According to Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson,
it has been found that volunteers went into 32 different homes and installed around 100 devices. Chief Anderson also pointed out that some of the smoke detectors in people’s homes were about 20 years old. As the majority of individuals in the community that signed up for the one-day program were seniors in town, Anderson recalled one senior that was very appreciative of the program. “You folks are saving lives doing this,” said one senior during the program on Oct. 29. See Smoke Detectors, Page 8
Students recognized for their academic excellence By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – During Tuesday night’s school committee meeting, three students at the Southwick Regional School were honored. Dermotheo Walden, David Kolek, and Allison Scharmann were all given awards by Superintendent Jennifer Willard. Both Walden and Kolek were recipients of the National School
Development Council Award for Academic Growth and Leadership in Learning. Walden was recognized as having high academic honors, a member of the National Honor Society, on numerous clubs in school, and has volunteered at places like the Southwick Food Pantry. Kolek is also a National Honor Society member and his class president. Kolek has volunteered at Noble Hospital as well as at events for the
One Call Away Foundation. Scharmann was awarded the Massachusetts Assembly of School Superintendent Certificate of Academic Excellence. Also a student who is at the top of her class, Scharmann was named the class treasurer for the senior class for 2017. Scharmann was just recently named as a Commended Student in the See Excellence, Page 8
From left to right are Allison Scharmann, David Kolek, and Dermotheo Walden, displaying their certificates. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)